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Being in Upanishads
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Being in the Ancient East
The Vedas are texts that were developed over hundreds of years and are made up of hymns (samhita), ritualistic interpretations of hymns (Brahmanas), semi-metaphysical inquiries posed by thinkers who had renounced worldly life and lived in the forest (Aranyakas), and metaphysical explanations of rituals (Upanishads) contained in the Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas.
The Shakti Tradition
The worship of the Mother Goddess is one of the oldest traditions of the world. In ancient India, the goddess was considered the supreme power (Shakti) responsible for the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the world.
The Teachings of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
One of the earliest descriptions of Being in the Upanishads can be found in the discussion between Ajatashatru and Gargya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Ajatashatru, the king of ancient Kashi, offered a thousand cows to Gargya, a brahmana, if he could provide a satisfactory explanation of Being. (Brahmanas refer to texts, as well as priests.)
The Teachings of the Chandogya Upanishad
The Vedas are texts that were developed over hundreds of years and are made up of hymns (samhita), ritualistic interpretations of hymns (Brahmanas), semi-metaphysical inquiries posed by thinkers who had renounced worldly life and lived in the forest (Aranyakas), and metaphysical explanations of rituals (Upanishads) contained in the Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas.